Henry Hubert takes on smart field in Sires Stakes Silver

A good 8th at his last start in Chase Auckland's Sires Stakes, Henry Hubert has drawn well in tonight's Sires Stakes Silver at Addington. He looks the main threat to the four Purdon/Rasmussen runners in the race, headed up by Funatthebeach.

Henry Hubert is still in the early stages of his career, as a five start maiden. However, in his last two starts - a Sires Stakes heat and a Sires Stakes final, he has shown that he will be a force to be reckoned with this season, particularly with some ringcraft experience. In the Sires Stakes final he had no hope to get into a leader dominated race, yet finished off the race as well as any, to be just under eight lengths off Chase Auckland at the line.

To date, he has not shown a lot of speeed off the gate, but he should be able to slot into a nice enough position this evening. Realistically he is probably only a place chance, but is a winning hope if the race panned out his way.

Of the four All Stars runners, it is Funatthebeach drawn the ace, Anthem and Tennyson Bromac that look the toughest to beat.

Bettor Chance is the first of the stable runners to step out tonight in Race Two. She had no luck at all over Cup Week and this does look a step back in company for her. That said, she has a wide draw to contend with over the 1950m and will need luck. Providing it comes, she can run a place.

Spondulicks has been a big improver over the past couple of months and was the Futurity winner on Show Day. His task in Race Four is that much more difficult tonight having drawn one on the second line. However, he may get a soft run on the markers and look for driver Gav Smith to plot the best path from there.

De Lancome goes around in the Sires Stakes heat for the fillies in Race Five. She was good in running 4th first up, then never got into it over the mile at Ashburton. She is well drawn here but meets some of the best fillies in the land. Place chances are probably best here.

The final runner tonight is Woodstone in Race Six. He came home like a rocket in winning last start at Ashburton. Manners will be the key for him. If he can put it all together, he is again a winning hope at some nice eachway odds.